Sample Letter

Jose Sarney Filho, Minister
Ministry of Environment
Esplanada dos Ministerios, Bloco B,
5º andar, 70068-900,
Brasília - DF
tel. 00 55 61 317 1358
fax. 00 55 61 226 7101

I have recently learned that Brazil is a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). I am extremely concerned about information, which points to uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Indeed, scientists estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse within two years.

In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk.

As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), our government has both the opportunity and responsibility to act on behalf of this fragile ecosystem. I urge you to demand a moratorium on fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, backed by a trade ban, until the pirate fishing is eliminated. We should oppose the resumption of fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean until it can be demonstrated that the fishery can withstand the impact of commercial fishing and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent the return of pirate vessels.

Sincerely,